HPE AlphaServer 300 User manual

AlphaServer300
User’sGuide
Order Number: EK-AS300-UG. A01
Digital Equipment Corporation
Maynard, Massachusetts

November 1996
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a commitment
by Digital Equipment Corporation.
Digital Equipment Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that might appear in this document.
The software, if any, described in this document is furnished under a license and may be used or copied only in
accordance with the terms of such license. No responsibility is assumed for the use or reliability of software or
equipment that is not supplied by Digital Equipment Corporation or its affiliated companies.
Restricted Rights: Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in
subparagraph (c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013.
Copyright 1996 Digital Equipment Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation:
AlphaGeneration, AlphaServer, DEC, Digital, OpenVMS, ThinWire, and the DIGITAL logo.
The following are third-party trademarks:
Microsoft and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open
Company Ltd.
All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

FCC Information - Class B
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15
of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation.
Any changes or modifications made to this equipment may void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee
that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged
to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful: How to
Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems. This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C., 20402. Stock No. 004-00398-5.
All external cables connecting to this basic unit need to be shielded. For cables connecting to option boards, see
the option manual or installation instructions.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions set out in the radio interference
regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.
Acoustics - Preliminary Declared Values per ISO 9296 and ISO 7779. 1B=10dBA
Sound Power Level
LWAd, B
Idle Operate
Sound Pressure Level
LpAm, dBA
(operator position)
Idle Operate
4.8 4.9 39 40

v
Table of Contents
Preface
1 System Overview
Introduction...........................................................................................................................1-1
Motherboard..........................................................................................................................1-1
PCI Architecture ...................................................................................................................1-2
System Front View................................................................................................................1-3
System Rear View.................................................................................................................1-4
Security Features...................................................................................................................1-5
Chassis Lock ...........................................................................................................1-5
Security Loop..........................................................................................................1-5
Passwords................................................................................................................1-5
2 Getting Started
Introduction..........................................................................................................................2-1
Before Starting Your System................................................................................................2-2
Identifying the Correct AC Power Cord.........................................................................2-3
Installing Your System.........................................................................................................2-4
Connecting System Parts...............................................................................................2-5
Console Terminals.........................................................................................................2-7
Serial Port Connectors...................................................................................................2-7
Network Connection......................................................................................................2-7
Installing the Operating System.....................................................................................2-8
Digital UNIX and OpenVMS..................................................................................2-8
Microsoft Windows NT Server...............................................................................2-8
Starting Your System ...........................................................................................................2-9

vi
Turning Off Your System................................................................................................... 2-10
3 Console Commands
Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 3-1
ARC Console....................................................................................................................... 3-2
ARC Menus .................................................................................................................. 3-2
Boot Menu Functions: ............................................................................................ 3-2
Supplementary Menu Functions: ............................................................................3-2
Setup Menu Functions:........................................................................................... 3-2
Booting the System ....................................................................................................... 3-3
Boot "boot selection identifier"............................................................................... 3-3
Boot an Alternate Operating System....................................................................... 3-3
Manage Boot Selection Menu................................................................................. 3-3
Setup Autoboot....................................................................................................... 3-4
Display Hardware Configuration................................................................................... 3-4
Setting System Parameters ............................................................................................ 3-6
Set Default Environment Variables......................................................................... 3-6
Set Default Configuration....................................................................................... 3-6
Other Menu Functions................................................................................................... 3-7
Install New Firmware............................................................................................. 3-7
Install Windows NT from CD-ROM....................................................................... 3-7
Switching from ARC to SRM Console ...................................................................3-7
SRM Console....................................................................................................................... 3-8
SRM Console Conventions............................................................................................ 3-8
SRM Console Special Characters ..................................................................................3-9
Boot Command........................................................................................................... 3-10
Boot Command Examples.................................................................................... 3-11
Show Command.......................................................................................................... 3-12
Show Command Examples................................................................................... 3-13
Set Command.............................................................................................................. 3-16
Set Command Examples....................................................................................... 3-16
Switching from SRM to ARC console .................................................................. 3-17
ISA Configuration Utilities.......................................................................................... 3-17
ICONFIG Utility .................................................................................................. 3-17
Using the Built-in ICONFIG Scripts............................................................ 3-18
Adding Options Manually ........................................................................... 3-18
ISACFG Utility........................................................................................................... 3-20
Command Format................................................................................................. 3-20
Adding ISA Options to OpenVMS and Digital UNIX Systems ............................. 3-22
ISACFG Command Examples.............................................................................. 3-23

vii
4 Installing System Options
Introduction..........................................................................................................................4-1
Removing the Top Cover .....................................................................................................4-2
System Unit Components.....................................................................................................4-4
Motherboard.........................................................................................................................4-6
Installing Additional System Memory..................................................................................4-7
Adding Memory Modules.....................................................................................................4-8
Installing Expansion Boards............................................................................................... 4-10
General Information on Installing Drives............................................................................ 4-12
SCSI Bus Length.........................................................................................................4-12
Internal SCSI Termination........................................................................................... 4-12
External SCSI Termination.......................................................................................... 4-13
Cable Layout............................................................................................................... 4-13
Installing Storage Options in the Drive Bracket..................................................................4-17
Storage Bay........................................................................................................................ 4-22
Replacing the Battery.........................................................................................................4-26
Replacing the System Cover............................................................................................... 4-27
Connecting External Options.............................................................................................. 4-29
Cabling for a Printer or Other Parallel Device .............................................................4-29
External SCSI Options................................................................................................. 4-29
5 Troubleshooting
Introduction..........................................................................................................................5-1
Initial Troubleshooting.........................................................................................................5-1
Equipment Log.....................................................................................................................5-2
General Troubleshooting......................................................................................................5-2
Error Beep Codes.................................................................................................................5-9
Diagnostic LEDs................................................................................................................5-10
Location of the LEDs ..................................................................................................5-10
Interpreting the LED Indicator Values......................................................................... 5-10
A Technical Specifications
Introduction..........................................................................................................................A–1
System Specifications...........................................................................................................A–2
Power Supply and Input Power Requirements ......................................................................A–4
Motherboard Jumpers...........................................................................................................A–4
B Updating System Firmware
Introduction..........................................................................................................................B–1

viii
Location of Firmware Updates.............................................................................................B–1
Updating the Console Firmware...........................................................................................B–2
Using the Flash Update Utility from the SRM Console..................................................B–3
Using the Flash Update Utility from the ARC Console..................................................B–5
Updating PCI Option Firmware............................................................................................B–5
PCI Firmware Update Procedure...................................................................................B–5
C Starting an Operating System Installation
Introduction ........................................................................................................................C–1
Starting a Windows NT Installation ....................................................................................C–2
Starting a Digital UNIX Installation....................................................................................C–5
Starting an OpenVMS Installation.......................................................................................C–6
D Equipment Log
Introduction .........................................................................................................................D–1
Equipment Log ....................................................................................................................D–1
Index

ix
Preface
Welcome to the AlphaServer 300 System
This guide introduces the AlphaServer 300 system.
Use the information here to start, use, update, troubleshoot, and configure your
AlphaServer 300 system. You can also find general information on the system
components, technical specifications, and console commands.
Audience
If you are operating, configuring, or adding options to the AlphaServer 300 system, the
information included here is helpful to you.

x
Organization of the Information
This information for users covers the following topics (see the Table of Contents for a
detailed listing):
•Chapter 1, System Overview. Motherboard, keyboard, system controls, indicators,
ports, and connections.
•Chapter 2, Getting Started. Installing, starting, restarting, and turning off the system.
•Chapter 3, Console Commands. Basic commands for ARC and SRM consoles.
•Chapter 4, Installing System Options. Installing hard disk, compact disc, and tape
drives, memory, option cards, printer cable, and external SCSI cable.
•Chapter 5, Troubleshooting. Possible causes and actions to solve problems.
•Appendix A, Technical Specifications.
•Appendix B, Updating System Firmware.
•Appendix C, Starting an Operating System Installation.
•Appendix D, Equipment Log.
Conventions
This guide uses the following conventions:
Convention Example Description
c:\windows Monospaced text indicates file names, path names,
directories, or screen text. Each operating system has its
own specific syntax.
[Enter] Square brackets surrounding text represent a key on the
keyboard.
[Ctrl]+[R] A plus sign indicates that you press both the keys shown at
the same time.
auto_action Italic text indicates environment variables. Italic is also
occasionally used for emphasis.
)
A pointing hand indicates a reference to additional
information.

xi
Abbreviations
This guide uses the following abbreviations:
Abbreviation Meaning
ARC Advanced RISC Computing (the Windows NT Console).
CD Compact disc.
CD-ROM Compact disc read-only memory.
CPU Central processing unit.
DMA Direct memory access.
DRAM Dynamic random access memory.
DROM Diagnostic read only memory.
FDC Floppy disk controller.
flashROM Electrically erasable, rewriteable, nonvolatile memory.
GB A GB suffix to a numerical value indicates size in gigabytes
(for example, 1 GB). A gigabyte equals 1,073,741,824 bytes.
IRQ Interrupt request.
ISA Industry-standard architecture.
Kb A Kb suffix to a numerical value indicates size in kilobits (for
example, 512 Kb). A kilobit equals 1024 bits.
KB A KB suffix to a numerical value indicates size in kilobytes
(for example, 640 KB). A kilobyte equals 1024 bytes.
LED Light-emitting diode.
Mb An Mb suffix to a numerical value indicates size in megabits
(for example, 10 Mb). A megabit equals 1,048,576 bits.
MB A MB suffix to a numerical value indicates size in megabytes
(for example, 550 MB). A megabyte equals 1,048,576 bytes.
MHz Megahertz.
MAU Media adapter unit.
ns Nanoseconds.
NVRAM Nonvolatile random access memory.
Digital UNIX Digital UNIX operating system.
PCI Peripheral component interconnect.
RISC Reduced instruction set computing.
ROM Read only memory.

xii
(continued)
Abbreviation Meaning
SCSI Small computer system interface.
SIMM Single in-line memory modules.
SRM The Digital UNIX and OpenVMS console firmware.
SROM Serial read only memory.
VMS OpenVMS operating system.
Special Notices
This guide uses four kinds of notices to emphasize specific information.
________________________WARNING___________________________
A WARNING indicates the presence of a hazard that can cause personal
injury.
____________________________________________________________
________________________CAUTION ___________________________
A CAUTION indicates the presence of a hazard that can cause damage to
hardware or that might corrupt software.
____________________________________________________________
_________________________ NOTE_____________________________
A NOTE gives general information, such as compatibility with other products or
pointers to other information.
____________________________________________________________
__________________________HINT _____________________________
A HINT includes suggestions to make your computing tasks easier.
____________________________________________________________

xiii
Additional Information Resources
You may wish to consult the following information resource on your AlphaServer 300
system:
•AlphaServer 300 Installation Information (order number EK-AS300-IN) presents a
graphical overview of the AlphaServer 300 installation.
• AlphaServer 300 Service Information (order number AK-R2M9A-CA) provides
troubleshooting and removal and replacement procedures, presented as an on-line help
file.
• On the Internet go to: http://www.digital.com/info/alphaserver/products.html where
you will find more information on Digital AlphaServer products.
Contact your distributor or Digital representative for other product-related information.

System Overview 1-1
1
System Overview
Introduction
This chapter describes the AlphaServer 300 system hardware components, including the
motherboard, PCI architecture, keyboard, front panel controls, rear panel connectors, and
security features.
Motherboard
Your AlphaServer 300 system uses a high-performance DECchip 21064A CPU (central
processing unit). System features include:
•2 MB cache memory.
•Memory controller and data path that connects through a 128-bit wide data bus to
main memory and through a 128-bit wide data bus to second-level cache. The data is
longword parity protected (each set of 32 bits has a parity bit).
•PCI bus adapter with a 32-bit wide multiplexed address/data bus.
•Floppy disk controller that supports a floppy drive and one additional CD drive.
•PCI-based embedded SCSI-2 controller that supports up to seven SCSI peripherals
such as hard disk drives, CD-ROM drive, and tape drives.
•One slot for a PCI option, one slot for a PCI or ISA option, and one additional slot for
a half-size ISA option.
•Keyboard and mouse ports, two serial ports, and one enhanced bidirectional parallel
port.
•PCI based Ethernet adapter.
)
Refer to Appendix A, Technical Specifications, for additional information.

1-2 AlphaServer 300 User’s Guide
PCI Architecture
Your system’s PCI architecture represents the latest advances in local bus technology. The
AlphaServer 300 system PCI architecture delivers maximum performance by providing a
wider data path, greater speed, and improved expandability. PCI removes various types of
peripheral controllers from the slower ISA bus and connects them directly to a wider,
faster data path. The result is faster data transfers for devices such as SCSI controllers and
network interface cards—a critical advantage when you are running I/O-intensive
software.
PCI local bus features include:
•Highest performance in the market today.
•Best expandability for high-performance peripheral devices.
•Support for multiple bus masters.
•32-bit data transfer at 132 MB per second (peak).
•PCI-to-ISA bridge capability that allows you to use commonly available ISA options.

System Overview 1-3
System Front View
Figure 1-1 is a front view of the system showing the location of the controls and indicators.
Table 1-1 describes these items.
1 2 3 6
MLO-013121
4
89
5
710
Figure 1-1 Front Controls and Indicators
Table 1-1 Front Controls and Indicators
Figure
Legend Control or Indicator Function
1 Power indicator Lights when the system is on.
2 Disk activity indicator Lights when a hard disk drive is in use.
3 Reset button This button resets the system and causes the
self-test to run. See Appendix A, Technical
Specifications, for directions on setting the
Reset jumper.
4 Floppy drive Location of 3.5-inch diskette drive.
5 Floppy eject button Push to eject the floppy disk.
6 Power on/off button Turns AC power on and off.
7 CD-ROM eject button Opens the CD loading drawer.
8 CD drive (optional) 5.25-inch half-size front-accessible drive
bay.
9 Hard drive (optional) 3.5-inch low-profile front-accessible hard
drive bay.
10 Louvered air intake Passageway for cooling air to enter the
system. (Do not block air intake.)

1-4 AlphaServer 300 User’s Guide
System Rear View
Figure 1-2 shows the rear connectors and lock. Table 1-2 describes their functions.
1 2 3
15 14 13 12 11 9
8
54
10
6 7
Figure 1-2 Rear Connectors
Table 1-2 Rear Connectors
Figure
Legend Connector Function
1 Voltage selector switch Allows you to set your system to work with 115 or
230 volts AC power.
2 Keyboard connector Use to connect a 101- or 102-key keyboard.
3 System (chassis) lock Locks top cover.
4 Twisted pair connector Connection to the embedded Ethernet controller .
5 ThinWire connector Connection to the embedded Ethernet controller .
6 ISA expansion slot Used for half-size ISA expansion options only.
7 PCI/ISA expansion slot Either a PCI or ISA option can use this slot.
8 PCI expansion slot Used for PCI expansion options. In this example,
a PCI graphics adapter is in the slot.
9 Security loop Attachment point for a padlock and security cable.
10 LED viewing ports Ports for viewing diagnostic LED indicators.
11 SCSI port Provides the interface between the system unit and
external SCSI devices.

System Overview 1-5
Table 1-2 Rear Connectors ( continued )
Figure
Legend Connector Function
12 Enhanced bidirectional
parallel port Connects an industry-standard parallel printer or other parallel device.
13 Serial port connectors Connects serial devices.
14 Mouse connector Connects a PS/2-compatible mouse.
15 AC power connector Connects the system to AC power.
Security Features
Chassis Lock
To avoid theft of internal components, your AlphaServer 300 system comes with a chassis
key lock, which is located on the back of your system box. When this lock is in the locked
position, the system box cover cannot be removed. Store the key in a safe place.
Security Loop
The security loop discourages theft of your system unit. The loop is designed to be used
with a padlock and secure cable.
Passwords
For additional security, most screen saver and pause screen displays can have password
protection enabled.

Getting Started 2-1
2
Getting Started
Introduction
Your AlphaServer 300 system is a high-performance system that uses the latest
microprocessor technology. This chapter describes how to install, turn on, boot, and turn
off your AlphaServer 300 system. Figure 2-1 shows a typical AlphaServer 300 system.
MLO-011053
Figure 2-1 AlphaServer 300 System

2-2 AlphaServer 300 User’s Guide
Before Starting Your System
Before starting your system, perform the following steps:
1. Read and understand the information supplied with your system.
2. Select a well-ventilated site near a grounded power outlet and away from sources of
excessive heat. The site should also be isolated from electric noise (for example,
spikes, sags, and surges) produced by devices such as air conditioners, large fans,
radios, and televisions.
3. Save all shipping containers and packing material for repackaging or moving the
system later.
_________________________NOTES ____________________________
1. Do not install optional hardware or application software until you have
started your system and verified that the base system is working correctly.
2. On systems that have preloaded software, a label attached to the system unit
informs you that licensed software has been installed. Carefully review the
software license agreement shipped with your system.
____________________________________________________________
________________________WARNING___________________________
When unpacking and moving system components, be aware that some
components (such as the system unit or monitor) may be too heavy for you
to safely lift alone. If you are doubtful about whether you can lift these
items alone, please get assistance.
____________________________________________________________

Getting Started 2-3
Identifying the Correct AC Power Cord
A country specific detachable power supply cord will be provided or specified for your
AlphaServer 300 system. As there are variations from one country to another, and systems
may be moved, please inspect your power cord to ensure it is the correct one for your
country or region. If you are not sure that the supplied AC power cord is correct, contact
your authorized Digital service representative before you use it.
________________________WARNING __________________________
Do not attempt to modify or use an external 115-volt AC power cord for
230-volt AC input power. Modifying the power cord can cause personal
injury and severe equipment damage.
____________________________________________________________
Power cords for AlphaServer 300 systems must meet the following criteria:
• Within the U.S. and Canada, this cord set will be Listed, Certified*, SVT, #18AWG,
3-conductor, grounding type, rated minimum 125V, 10A.
• In other countries, this cord set will be <HAR>, minimum 1.0mm2, rated minimum
250V, 6A, with plugcap appropriate for the country where used.